//------------------------------// // Night in Equestria // Story: Coronation of Compassion // by Echo Breeze //------------------------------// We arrived at Canterlot about an hour later. I looked over to Snowflake, who had fallen asleep seconds after we had gotten onto the train. I booped her nose, her scrunching it up. “Five more minutes mom.” she said. I chuckled. “We’re here, Snowflake.” I said into her ear. Her ear flapped in acknowledgement. She opened those beautiful cerise eyes. “How long was I out?” she asked. “Just under an hour.” I replied. “We’d better head on off the train, before it leaves with us on it.” I got up and made my way to the door. I looked back to see that Snowflake hadn’t followed, so I lit up my horn and dragged her out. I set her down next to me and we set off toward the castle. We got to the castle just as my aunt had finished raising the moon, the sky full of stars even more breathtaking than usual. I knew that she had done her best with it to celebrate my return. The thought of it made me blush. We walked into the throne room to see Celestia talking to one of the guards. “We have updated the flame retarding spells, as you requested.” I heard him say as we approached. “Thank you very much. Dismissed.” Celestia said with a chuckle when she saw my disdainful expression. I heard Snowflake snicker next to me. "Mom." I said, not eager for the conversation that was bound to ensue. "What? I'm just being cautious." she replied with a chuckle. "You know the last time that happened was when I got my cutie mark." I said. "Now I gotta hear the story." Snowflake said, barely contained mirth in her voice. "I'd be delighted." Celestia replied. "It happened during her entrance exam. The examiner brought out a Dragon egg for her to try to hatch. Unbeknownst to the examiners at the time, Sunset had read up on the entrance exam, and on what was required to hatch a Dragon egg. She got to the exam, and nerves had set in. She poured a little too much mana into the spell and set the entire building alite. She got her cutie Mark right then and there. The sun symbolizes how hot the flame could have gotten if I had not stepped in. I didn't show it at the time, but I was proud of her accomplishment." I didn't know what to say. Snowflake was giggling. I was devastated. "Sounds like she was quite the trouble maker." Snowflake said with a very uncharacteristic giggle. “Oh, she was.” Celestia replied with a chuckle. To my horror, she lit up her horn, and a photo album appeared in her yellow aura. I recognized it instantly. The next hour was spent with Celestia showing Snowflake my entire history. “This one was taken shortly after she was born.” “That’s adorable. Look at the tiny little hooves and horn.” Snowflake said. “I know right?” Celestia said, looking at me with a loving look. “If this is the embarrassment I get for being good, I think I’d prefer being evil.” I said jokingly, causing Celestia to smile and Snowflake to giggle. Snowflake came up to me and gave me a peck on the cheek. “Don’t worry, Sunny. I still love you. No amount of magic or embarrassment will ever change that.” Snowflake said. “I know, Snowflake.” I said, wrapping her in a tight embrace. “Well, dinner should be ready right about…” Celestia started when there was a knock at the door. She opened it to see that it was one of the chefs. “...now.” She got up and walked out of the throne room, heading for the dining room. Snowflake and I followed closely behind. I marveled at the sight of the castle not being very different from when I was here last. Celestia noticed my starstruck expression and giggled. A few minutes later, we arrived at the dining room. Luna was already there, eagerly awaiting us so that the meal could be served. We sat down and the chefs came out, baring trays laden with all of my favorites, in many different colored auras. Snowflake looked intimidated by the sheer amount of it. There were hay burgers, hay fries, daisy sandwiches, and a whole host of other dishes. I giggled at the expression on Snowflake’s face. “Yes, Snowflake. In this form, all of these are edible.” I said. Dash flashed me a grateful look and dug into a hay burger. Her eyes went wide as she chewed, reveling in the new sensation dancing on her tongue. She swallowed, then began eating faster. “Slow down. You’re gonna get a stomach ache.” Celestia and Luna giggled at the sight, but I was mortified at the sight of my marefriend gulping down the food with very little chewing, in utter disregard for what she might go through later. I facehoofed, shook my head, and carried on eating. “You may want to save room for dessert, Snowflake.” Luna said, an amused expression on her face. “There’s dessert?” Snowflake asked after swallowing her last mouthful. “There always is.” I replied. “Awesome.” Snowflake said, helping herself to more food. I facehoofed again, lit up my horn, and levitated the plate away from her. “Hey, no fair.” “I think it’s fair that you save some for the rest of us, and save room for dessert.” I said. “Okay, fine.” Snowflake hesitantly said. I nodded, pushed my plate away, and awaited dessert. A few hours later, Snowflake and I made our way up to my bedroom. When we got there, I pushed open the door, and Snowflake took in the sight. My bedroom in the castle wasn’t nearly as big as hers, but it more than made up for it in comfort. The bed could sleep five ponies along the width. It had an en-suite bathroom with a hot tub as well as all the other basic necessities. Snowflake flew over to the bed, flopped down, and promptly fell asleep in a position that didn’t look very comfortable. I shook my head, climbed into the bed next to her, and promptly fell asleep as well. I opened my eyes to a sight I had seen before. It was Sugar Cube Corner, in the middle of a blizzard. Snowflake and the others were sitting at the usual booth, and I was standing by the door, clutching the journal that had a link to Princess Twilight. I gulped, steeled my nerves, and walked over to them.